school for under motivated bright kid?

[Anonymous]

7th grade girl. Just very little motivation to do academic work. Not doing well in her MCPS. Considering privates that are good with bright underachievers, kids who aren't motivated by academic success.
Thanks!

[Anonymous]

How does she score on standardized exams?

[Anonymous]

Before spending on private school, I would spend on a full neuropsychological evaluation. It will include a WISC (IQ) test which you might need anyway for private school admission.
This will tell you everything you need to know about her learning profile, and any ADHD or learning disability which you might not have caught.

Because whenever I hear "unmotivated" and "bright", I think of inattentive ADHD. Frequently (but not always), children with mild issues are better taken care of in public schools than private schools, once their needs are known and accommodated for.

[Anonymous]

no idea with test scores (friends child). grades are C's and D's. Issue is motivation and there is some race stuff at play as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:no idea with test scores (friends child). grades are C's and D's. Issue is motivation and there is some race stuff at play as well.

Well, there you go. She probably hates going to school and poor grades/ low motivation is a passive/ aggressive way of crying for help.

Do not leap to PP's level of rushing her off for an evaluation, oh of course it's ADD, put her on drugs, etc.

It sounds like the parents (this is a friend's child?) need to be a lot more involved with the school and situation, and we need to hear their perspective. What do they say is going on?

As to specific privates, a lot will depend on where she lives. But that could be a good solution.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:no idea with test scores (friends child). grades are C's and D's. Issue is motivation and there is some race stuff at play as well.

You do understand that these are so incredibly vague as to be meaningless?

Motivation = could be poor self-esteem, possibly learning disabilities or ADHD, lack of challenge, hostile environment, depression... or simply never having been taught persistence and grit!

Race stuff = you would need to explain that. Kids say all kinds of stupid stuff at that age. Teachers should intervene and not assume stuff themselves, on the other hand.

[Anonymous]

parents are EXTREMELY involved. they do feel the race stuff is a piece of it (like the school just expects her to be this way. she is one of few black kids in her grade/school) but they are also very frustrated that nothing they do seems to motivate her.

[Anonymous]

burke!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:parents are EXTREMELY involved. they do feel the race stuff is a piece of it (like the school just expects her to be this way. she is one of few black kids in her grade/school) but they are also very frustrated that nothing they do seems to motivate her.

Then it sounds like this is an unhealthy dynamic all the way around. Good for the parents for recognizing and trying to take action, although thiis -- if you are describing situation accurately -- is a tough nut to crack. I would definitely start looking at private schools. She needs a place that will challenge her, encourage her to try more and let her fail when she needs to.

But again, it would be helpful to know where they live or at least what part of the area we are talking about. There are lots of good schools that could work.

[Anonymous]

St. Andrew's

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:burke!!

Not with Cs and Ds.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Before spending on private school, I would spend on a full neuropsychological evaluation. It will include a WISC (IQ) test which you might need anyway for private school admission.
This will tell you everything you need to know about her learning profile, and any ADHD or learning disability which you might not have caught.

Because whenever I hear "unmotivated" and "bright", I think of inattentive ADHD. Frequently (but not always), children with mild issues are better taken care of in public schools than private schools, once their needs are known and accommodated for.

I don't mean the hijack this thread, but how does mcps help motivate kids with that profile? My middle school aged DC was recently diagnosed with inattentive ADHD as the result of a neuropsych, and we were given a list of accommodations to request like seating in the front of the classroom, extra time on tests, etc., and admittedly we have not implemented them yet, but I don't see how any of them will help my DC's lack of motivation. I foresee needing private in her future if only for the smaller class size and more attention from teachers who hopefully would not let her get away with half-effort.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Before spending on private school, I would spend on a full neuropsychological evaluation. It will include a WISC (IQ) test which you might need anyway for private school admission.
This will tell you everything you need to know about her learning profile, and any ADHD or learning disability which you might not have caught.

Because whenever I hear "unmotivated" and "bright", I think of inattentive ADHD. Frequently (but not always), children with mild issues are better taken care of in public schools than private schools, once their needs are known and accommodated for.

No you don't need the WISC to apply to privates for 7th, 8th and up. You need the SSAT or ISEEE.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Before spending on private school, I would spend on a full neuropsychological evaluation. It will include a WISC (IQ) test which you might need anyway for private school admission.
This will tell you everything you need to know about her learning profile, and any ADHD or learning disability which you might not have caught.

Because whenever I hear "unmotivated" and "bright", I think of inattentive ADHD. Frequently (but not always), children with mild issues are better taken care of in public schools than private schools, once their needs are known and accommodated for.

No you don't need the WISC to apply to privates for 7th, 8th and up. You need the SSAT or ISEEE.

This is why I was asking if the child was a good test taker- they will need something to counteract the grades that demonstrates they are bright enough to handle the rigors of whichever schools they apply to (not stating that these exams are a complete picture of a child's brightness, but unfortunately, aside from grades that is what the schools have for now)

[Anonymous]

The profile you've given suggests schools like McLean, Parkmont, School for Tomorrow, or Nora.